PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES

Enterprise Europe Network (Profile: TRDE20200331001)

Type:

Cooperation

Short description of advertisement:

Adaption to ski backpack for avalanche rescue system sought

A German start-up company has invented an avalanche rescue system based on a visor helmet. The company is now looking for an outdoor partner with know-how in developing and producing backpacks, ideally skiing backpacks in order to adapt the helmet system to the backpack. A technical cooperation agreement is sought with a partner in a German-speaking country (Austria or Switzerland).

A German physician invented a novel avalanche rescue system based on a visor helmet with oxygen supply. Together with a professional team of technical consultants, the invention has further been developed, successfully tested and finally a company was founded in 2019. Currently discussions with a well-known helmet developing and production company are taking place.

The inventor is now urgently seeking a company with deep know-how in the development and production of specialized backpacks for ski tours and skiing. The development of the helmet adaption to the backpack and the secure fixing of the compressed air bottle in the backpack should be done by the partner. The helmet must be placed in the upper part of the backpack, so that the user can easily put on the helmet without removing the backpack. With this system the avalanche victim has a higher chance of survival. The visor helmet protects the face, mouth and nose from injuries and pushed-in snow and creates an air pocket with air supply through a tube system to the oxygen bottle placed in the backpack. Approximately 50 minutes of air supply is guaranteed with a 0.5l compressed air bottle.

How the systems works: By folding down the visor in a critical situation, e.g. coming avalanche, the valve of the compressed air bottle in the backpack is opened allowing a constant air flow through a flexible tube into the helmet. This is also the case if the victim loses consciousness. The tube system is integrated into the helmet. C02 absorbers positioned under the helmet shell prevent a critical increase of carbon dioxid.Lab tests have been made successfully. A field test of the helmet has been made afterwards with a satisfying result. Therefore a motorbike flip-up helmet was converted. In real conditions under snow cover, parameters for blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), heart rate (PR interval) and carbon dioxid rate in the exhaled air (ETCO2) were constantly recorded. All the parameters remained in the range of normal standards during the test.

Until now, state of the art systems are avalanche rescue backpacks with airbags focusing on a higher chance of survival by floating on top of snow avalanches through the enlarged volume of the blowed-up airbags. The visor helmet system could also be combined with airbag systems, offering an even higher survival chance in avalanches.In 2017 the team has been awarded a private inventor foundation price. In 2019 the physician founded a company.